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My first experience of a Nigerian artist taking over the world is D’banj – Davido
Nigerian Afrobeat superstar Davido, reflecting on his journey and influences, opened up about the profound impact of D’banj’s superstar status on his own aspirations.
The head of DMW is actively propelling African music onto the global stage, notably through his A.W.A.Y. Festival. This festival not only showcases African culture but also serves as a platform for individuals of African descent in the diaspora to reconnect with their roots.
In a recent conversation with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Davido provided insights into the creation of his Grammy-nominated album, ‘Timeless,’ and shed light on the inspiration driving his A.W.A.Y. musical festival.
When questioned about his connection with Akon, Davido acknowledged Akon’s global influence and how the artist’s African heritage served as inspiration for other African musicians. However, he credited D’banj as his initial exposure to a Nigerian superstar with global appeal in the interview.
D’banj, a prominent figure in African entertainment, played a pivotal role in popularizing Afrobeats and contributing to the global recognition of Nigerian music. Davido specifically cited D’banj’s hit single ‘Oliver Twist‘ as one of Nigeria’s early breakthroughs internationally, describing it as a source of inspiration for his own musical journey.
“Even just back home, the people that really opened my eyes. It was like, Akon, of course, we knew he was African and he used to definitely come back home for shows. I’m talking about an artist that we saw in Nigeria, grow up with us and take over the world. My first vision of that was D’banj’s ‘Oliver Twist’.”
Watch him speak below:
Over the course of a career spanning more than a decade, Davido has played a significant role in propelling Nigerian music to global prominence. Recently, the megastar received three Grammy nominations, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the music industry. The nominations include Best Global Performance for ‘Feel,’ Best Global Album for ‘Timeless,’ and Best African Performance for ‘Unavailable,’ featuring Musa Keys.
As anticipation builds, Davido is now preparing for the inaugural edition of his A.W.A.Y. music festival, set to unfold on November 18, 2023.
This festival marks another milestone in his career, showcasing not only his musical prowess but also his commitment to elevating African music on the global stage.